Uterine Cancer | Endometrial Cancer | Treatment in Plano, TX
August 2, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
This article was originally written for the Women’s Specialists of Plano. It was published on their website July 30, 2010. Dr. Murray Fox, MD is a physician with the Women’s Specialists of Plano.
According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 43,000 cases of uterine cancer (also referred to as endometrial cancer) will be diagnosed this year. The Women’s Specialists of Plano (972.379.2416) offers uterine cancer treatment in Plano, TX. They recently compiled the following Q & A on this serious form of cancer. Early screening is important in order to prevent uterine cancer from starting or spreading.
What is the Uterus?
The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped organ that resides in the pelvic region of a female. The uterus is a part of the reproductive system and is the place where a baby grows during pregnancy. The uterus holds the cervix, which is the lower, narrow area of the uterus, and the fallopian tubes that extend from both sides of the organ. The uterus contains two layers of tissue: the inner layer is known as the endometrium; the outer layer is called the myometrium.
It is within this lining that a woman’s body prepares itself for menstruation as the walls within the uterus are lined and thickened with blood and then released monthly through the vagina.
What Conditions Can Exist in the Uterus?
Fibroids (benign tumors), endometriosis (endometrial tissue that grows inside the body, outside of the uterus) and endometrial hyperplasia (an increase of cells in the lining of the uterus) are all benign conditions that can affect the uterus. Another condition that can exist within the uterus is Adenomysis—in which the endometrium exists in the muscle of the uterus. Endometrial polyps can also exist in the uterus and is another source of abnormal bleeding. These conditions should be monitored and treatment for each condition is available.
What is Uterine Cancer?
Uterine cancer is a type of cancer that affects the uterus; it most often occurs when abnormal or cancerous cells begin to develop and multiply in the endometrium lining of the uterus. When cancer occurs within the lining of the uterus, it is known as endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer. If the cancer develops in the tissue and muscles that make up the uterus, the cancer is known as a sarcoma. Sarcomas are the most rare of uterine cancers.
What Causes Uterine Cancer?
The exact cause of uterine cancer is not known; however, studies have shown that there are some risk factors:
- Age. Uterine cancer, endometrial cancer and sarcomas of the uterus most often affect women over the age of 50
- Obesity. Obese women have higher levels of estrogen in their bodies because the body makes some of its estrogen naturally in fatty tissues. Higher levels of estrogen create a higher risk for uterine cancer.
- Untreated Conditions. Certain uterine conditions, if left untreated, could increase the chances of a woman getting uterine cancer. Chronically irregular periods, especially going more than three months between periods will increase the risk.
- Race. White woman are more likely to get uterine cancer than African-American women.
- Diabetes and hypertension.
- Certain hormone-related therapies. Women who are on estrogen replacement therapy and unbalanced hormonal therapy should be monitored closely. These specific therapies, as well as “natural” therapies such as estrogen cream, if not balanced by progesterone, can increase the risk of uterine cancer.
- Starting menstruation early (before age 12)
- Never being pregnant
What are the Symptoms of Uterine Cancer?
It is important to note that the majority of diagnosed uterine cancers (including endometrial cancer and sarcomas) occur near or after menopause. Abnormal and ongoing vaginal bleeding is typically the first symptom of uterine cancer. Other symptoms may include heavy discharge, painful urination, and pain in the pelvic area or pain during intercourse.
How is Uterine Cancer Diagnosed?
If a woman has unusual symptoms, a pelvic exam, pap test or biopsy may be administered. Once uterine cancer is in fact diagnosed, your doctor will work to determine the stage.
What are the Stages of Uterine Cancer?
In most cases, a hysterectomy is the first step and the most reliable way to stage uterine cancer. It allows the surgeon and the pathologist the opportunity to look closely at where the cancer has invaded and spread. Staging uterine cancer occurs in 4 ways:
- Stage 1: The cancer is isolated in the uterus and has not spread to the cervix
- Stage 2: The cancer has spread to the cervix
- Stage 3: The cancer has spread outside the uterus; however it has not spread outside of the pelvic region. Lymph nodes in and around the pelvic may or may not contain cancer cells.
- Stage 4: The cancer has spread to other organs in the body
What Treatment Options are Available for Uterine Cancer?
Most women who have been diagnosed with uterine cancer will have surgery. A hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) is generally the first course of treatment; during this procedure the ovaries are typically removed as well. During the hysterectomy, lymph nodes will most likely also be removed so that tests can be administered to see if and where the cancer has spread. Depending on the stage of the cancer, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy will be recommended.
What is the Prognosis for Uterine Cancer? Can it be Prevented?
Prognosis is first related to the depth of cancer invasion into the myometrium—the less the invasion, the better the prognosis. The cervix and surrounding tissues are then screened and tested for cancer. If uterine cancer is found early, the prognosis is excellent. The 1-year survival rate is about 92% if the cancer has not spread. That number does drop significantly if the cancer has spread to nearby organs. Women should have annual and routine physical examinations including pelvic exams, Pap smears and blood work. If you are experiencing any abnormal bleeding, pain in the pelvic area, bleeding lasting longer than a full week and bleeding that occurs every 21 days or more, please consult with your doctor.
The doctors that make up the Women’s Specialists of Plano offer uterine cancer treatment in Plano, TX. Visit them on the web at www.obgynplano.com
da Vinci Robotic Surgery | Robotic Hysterectomy | Plano, TX
July 1, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
The Women’s Specialists of Plano recently offered some current reviews and feedback from specialists who have performed the da Vinci Robotic Surgery, as well as patients who have undergone robotic surgery and other da Vinci related surgeries. To read the article, please visit this link or view the information below.
Article:
The Women’s Specialists of Plano, 972.379.2416, offers the following da Vinci Robotic Surgery feedback and reviews. These reviews were collected and written by Intuitive Surgical—the developers of the da Vinci robotic system based out of Sunnyvale, CA.
Why da Vinci® Surgery?
“The potential payoffs [of the da Vinci Surgical System] are impressive: Smaller incisions, less pain, fewer infections and other complications,
shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, even improved odds that the outcome of the procedure will be a success.” U.S. News & World Report
_________________________________________________________________________
“The precision and flexibility of this type of computerized system will allow us to do things we haven’t even thought of yet.” Dr. William Kelley. Henrico Doctors Hospital, Richmond, VA
_________________________________________________________________________
“Once you see the way patients recover, there is just no way you want to go back to larger incisions….” Douglas A. Murphy, M.D., Cardiac Surgeon Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Atlanta, GA
_________________________________________________________________________
“This is a significant milestone to minimize the trauma of surgery.” Dr. Craig Smith. Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY
_________________________________________________________________________
“Robotic assisted surgery is safe and effective, and is a new reality for American surgery.” Mark A. Talamini, M.D. et al”A Prospective Analysis of 211 Robotic Assisted Surgical Procedures,” Surgical Endoscopy
_________________________________________________________________________
“As a trained surgical oncologist, the da Vinci System has allowed me to offer my patients a better cancer operation with improved clinical outcomes.” Thomas E. Ahlering, M.D., Associate Professor of Urology; Director, Urological Oncology University of California Irvine Medical Center
_________________________________________________________________________
“In my experience, robotics allows for greater surgical precision which leads to improvements in cancer control, potency and urinary function.” Mani Menon, M.D., Director, Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Health System
_________________________________________________________________________
“When I discovered information about the procedure using the da Vinci Surgical System, I was convinced that this was the only option for me. I was back to work after four and a half weeks and even played racquetball after six weeks.” da Vinci robotic surgery patient
_________________________________________________________________________
“I was home maybe three days [after coronary revascularization surgery] when I went shopping at the grocery store.” 69 year-old da Vinci Coronary Revascularization patient
_________________________________________________________________________
“I have not taken a Tylenol throughout the entire process…” da Vinci Prostatectomy patient
Uterine Fibroids | Uterine Fibroid Tumors | Plano, TX
July 1, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
The article below was written by Kristy Theis, Medical Content Editor for eMedical Media in Dallas, TX. It was featured on Hubpages May 12, 2010 and written on behalf of the Women’s Specialists of Plano.
“I Have Uterine Fibroids. Should I be concerned?”
The doctors that make up the Women’s Specialists of Plano (972.379.2416) see their fair share of uterine fibroids
Not too long ago, most American women were sent down the road of having a hysterectomy when diagnosed with uterine fibroids. I recently interviewed a group of Plano, Texas-based gynecologists—as well as some of their patients—and was pleasantly surprised to learn that there are in fact several options for patients suffering from uterine fibroids.
Fibroids are tumors that develop in the uterus, most often, affecting women over the age of 30 and still in childbearing years. They can be very small, exist as one or in groupings, can be slow or fast growing, and for many, symptoms will be almost non-existent. For many women, on-going and at times continuous cramping, bloating, constipation, heavy bleeding and a feeling of pressure and pain in the uterus can exist. For women with a personal or family history of cancer, knowing that these tumors exist within the uterus can be troublesome making the treatment of uterine cysts a very important decision for them.
When I met with Patricia, a patient of Dr. Murray Fox, a physician with the Women’s Specialists of Plano practice, she described symptoms that sounded more like a pregnancy than a uterine fibroid. Her non-cancerous uterine tumors presented themselves years earlier and over time began to grow until the end result was a cantaloupe size tumor. With a growth so large, she decided to have a full hysterectomy because once the tumor was removed, much of her uterus would have to be removed with it. Since Patricia was past her child-bearing years, a hysterectomy was an acceptable route to take.
According to Dr. Jules Monier, a gynecologist with Women’s Specialists, most women will be diagnosed in the earlier stages through routine pelvic exams.
“We are able to diagnose uterine fibroids early on in most cases and monitor them with each patient. During this time, conservative treatment of uterine cysts can be provided. It’s important for women to be cognitive of their symptoms and pay attention to what their body is telling them so that a more aggressive treatment option can be considered if necessary. No woman should be expected to endure the harsher symptoms that can come along with uterine fibroids.”
The exact causes of fibroid tumors are unknown. The Women’s Specialists of Plano experts agree that treatment of uterine cysts is not necessary with uterine fibroids unless at least one of the following conditions are occurring:
- The uterine fibroid is greater in size than a 12-week pregnancy
- The uterine fibroid(s) is growing
- The uterine fibroid(s) is causing bleeding
- The uterine fibroid(s) is causing pain
- The uterine fibroid(s) is associated with pregnancy loss
Treatment options available today are vastly different than years ago. “Before our patients have to consider a hysterectomy for their uterine fibroids, they do have other treatment options, that in most cases, are successful. Uterine artery embolization and myomectomy procedures are highly effective treatment options and are generally recommended before a hysterectomy,” Says Dr. Daryl Greebon, a Plano, Texas-based OBGYN.
During a uterine artery embolization procedure, physicians use an x-ray camera to inject small particles through a catheter directly aimed at the fibroid. These particles block the arteries that provide blood flow and essentially cause the fibroids to shrink.
A myomectomy is a surgical procedure where the fibroid tumors are surgically removed. This procedure can be done with an open incision or using a more minimally-invasive technique such as the robotic myomectomy. The robotic method reduces the side effects of the surgery and overall recovery. A myomectomy, in general, is considered one of the only surgical treatment options that preserve fertility.
In the procedures mentioned above, a large majority of women experience relief with their symptoms.
Robin is another patient of Women’s Specialists I interviewed and one who had a dramatically different outcome than my earlier subject. She also battled uterine fibroid tumors since she was in her late 20’s and because she still desired to have children, she opted to have a robotic myomectomy. Dr. Dennis Eisenberg performed the surgery robotically and today, she remains symptom free from her fibroid tumors. Although the risk of them returning does exist; she has not had any real significant growths or reoccurrences.
Dr. Murray Fox explains, “Uterine fibroid tumors can affect the quality of life. I have had young women who are afraid to go to their places of business for fear they will soak through their clothes due to heavy bleeding caused by fibroids, and others who have experienced weight gain in the abdominal area because of fast growing and oversized tumors. The question I go over with my patients first is should the fibroid tumors be treated? If the answer is yes, we discuss how.”
It is extremely important to talk to your gynecologist, get all of the facts revolving around your specific uterine fibroid tumors and review all of your options to help you decide the best outcome for your particular situation, future desires and current lifestyle.
About the writer:
Kristy Theis is the Medical Content Editor for eMedical Media and is a Dallas-based freelance communications writer.
The gynecologists and patients of the Women’s Specialists of Plano contributed to this article.Visit them on the web at www.obgynplano.com.
Medical Mission to Provide Surgical Expertise to Guatemalan Women
March 29, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Suddenly last summer my world was rocked when I heard that the Faith in Practice (FIP) team 244 was assigned to Retalhuleu, Guatemala. Fortunately even the Guatemalans call it Reu so at least I could pronounce it. But what about Antigua, where I had served the last six years; and what about the Obras, the nurses and relationships and of course the “lemonada con soda” at the Café Condessa. I even thought how I would miss the street vendor Clara Luce.
Guatemala is divided into several (22) departments and 332 municipalities. Retalhuleu is a municipality in a district also called Retalhuleu. It is approximately 100 miles west of Antigua which in Guatemala is somewhere between three to five hours depending on traffic and the teachers’ strike that happened to be in full swing during our visit.
The more I heard about Reu, the more afraid I became. There was the problem of getting there with the potential for bandits along the way. Then there was the heat. But the question of the hospital staffing was my biggest concern. One nurse (white dress) and several aids (blue dresses). FIP was going to get several more aids to work while we were there but….
Another Gyn team had already been to Reu twice and a wonderfully dedicated nurse whose last name I do not remember but I came to know her as Jenny007 had developed a lesson plan and had been teaching the nurses post-operative care. A telephone call to Jenny was very reassuring, but I still wondered if the doctors would have to stay in the hospital over night.
As I processed and prayed about this stress, I became aware that I did not know where Antigua was on my first visit either. Then I came to a real peace that the Lord had directed me to do this mission work and had seen me through the previous six trips, I could put my trust that He would be with me on this one too. He was!
Maria Forestner, one of Team 244’s RNs and I went to Reu a day early to teach. Joe and Vera Wyatt drove us to Reu. We turned right off the highway down a dusty tortuous road with corrugated tin “homes” lining the side of a hill with rags in the glassless windows, then up a hill to the Hilario Gallindo Hospital. The hospital is a one story building with a treatment room they call and emergency room; three (two and one-half) operating rooms (retro fitted with air conditioners by FIP); 4 wards with six to ten beds each. There is a kitchen run by a couple who run a restaurant in Reu. The food was very good. The Hospital Administrator is Sergio, a very young man who apparently has worked at the hospital in one capacity or another since he was a kid.
It was hot. On the first day I met Lucky (pronounced Looky), an absolutely incredible nurse who is dedicated to her people and runs the clinical side of the hospital. She was a very active participant in the daily care of the patients and hospital. The nurses we taught were experienced three to fifteen years. They were eager to learn and gave excellent care to the patients.
On that day I also met Dr. Barrios. A wonderful Guatemalan doctor who cares for his people as if he knew Marcus Welby himself. His care and concern for each life he touched was a reminder of why I am a doctor and why I love to go to Guatemala. I was very touched by his commitment to his job and his joy in serving his people while being happy that he had food to eat and a roof over his head. I will not forget Dr. Barrios. There are two other physicians who are in the hospital for twelve hour shifts each. They care for the inpatients and man the walk-in emergencies.
My saddest experience came when I saw a patient who had a hysterectomy approximately four years ago and presented with stress incontinence. During the examination I felt a mass in the vaginal cuff. I asked if they had done the hysterectomy abdominally or vaginally as I thought maybe they left part of the cervix. Her response was that the hysterectomy was done vaginally but she was called two weeks after the surgery and was told she had some cancer in the cervix. My heart sank. I biopsied the vaginal cuff and the mass. Both were positive for invasive cancer. FIP will get her into the system for treatment but I am very concerned about her prognosis.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the place where the team stayed while not at the hospital. This is a resort built by the Guatemalan government for the Guatemalan workers to vacation. FIP is a member thus we are able to use it. The resort is about fifteen minutes from the hospital. The resort is simply magnificent. The vegetation is lush and beautiful with peacocks roaming the grounds. There are eight different buildings with rooms of varying size and luxury. There are two swimming pools, tennis courts, a full spa, full exercise facility, computers, putt-putt golf and five restaurants. Our meals there were delicious.
Once again the FIP experience was a Life Changing Experience.
